After a year at Harvard University, Leblanc returned to Montreal to play major-junior hockey last season.

He began this season in Hamilton before being recalled when Max Pacioretty was suspended on the eve of the Canadiens’ California road trip.

Leblanc made his NHL debut Nov. 30 in Anaheim. He playted 7:52, mostly on the fourth line, against the Ducks, registering one shot on goal and two hits.

The following night in San Jose, Leblanc played 14:25 and had a hit and two blocked shots.

Promoted to third-line duty, with Lars Eller and Andrei Kostitsyn, for the Saturday afternoon game in Los Angeles, Leblanc played 11:11, had three hits, a shot on goal and picked up his first NHL point on a tic-tac-toe passing play that led to AK46’s winning goal.

Pacioretty has completed his three-game suspension, and Monday’s practice in Brossard will reveal who Leblanc’s linemates will be for his Bell Centre debut Tuesday night against Columbus.